Govt enters into talks with march leaders

The government on Saturday entered into negotiations with the top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to resolve the issue of long march on Islamabad peacefully, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said late on Saturday. The minister said that one round of talks between the two sides was completed and the next round began late in the night, and continued well after midnight. In the meanwhile, the participants of march stayed at Wazirabad on the direction of their leadership. The TLP leadership had told the marchers to wait near Wazirabad till the outcome of their talks with a 12-member government team. The government side was represented by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan. The TLP delegation was led by its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi. The TLP delegation also included Pir Syed Zaheerul Hassan Shah, Dr Shafiq Amini, Mufti Ghulam Ghous Baghdadi, Engineer Hafeezullah Alvi, Allama Farooqul Hassan Qadri, Allama Ghulam Abbas Faizi and Mufti Muhammad Umair Al Azhari. Earlier in the day, the government and the TLP delegations had held their first round of talks. After the talks, the government delegation called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him on their talks. Later the prime minister met with various religious scholars. In the meeting with religious scholars, Imran refused to accept the demand for the release of the TLP chief, saying that the matter was in court. Sources quoted the prime minister as saying that he would not set a wrong precedent as it would encourage others to take to the streets for the release of their leaders. Read Rangers draw ‘red line’ for marchers About the demand for the expulsion of the French ambassador, PM Imran said that the expulsion of the envoy would shut the European markets on Pakistan, which could lead to the closure of export industries and increase inflation and unemployment. The country could not afford such a situation, he added. Imran told the Ulema that he wanted a peaceful solution to the issue, stressing that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had raised the issue of Islamophobia, internationally and established the Rehmatul-lil-Alamin Authority to familiarise the world with the personality of the Prophet (PBUH). “I am also a true lover of the Prophet (PBUH),” Imran said, adding that everyone should have strengthened his government, when it raised the voice on such issues. He regretted that the protests were portraying a bad image of the country before the world. The Ulema and scholars who met the prime minister included Sunni Tehreek President Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, Sunni Ittehad Council President Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Jamatul Saaleheen Chairman and Pir of Sultan Bahu (Quetta) Pir Khalid Sultan Bahu, Pir of Bhrchundi Sharif (Ghotki) Pir Abdul Khaliq, Milli Yakjehti Council Chairman Dr Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair, Ex MNA (Multan) Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Pir of Manki Sharif (Nowshera) Pir Muhammad Amin, Pir of Kot Mithan (Rahimyar Khan) Pir Khawaja Ghulam Qutb Fareed, Pir of Siyal Sharif (Sargodha) Pir Nizam Siyalvi, MLA from AJK Sahibzada Hafiz Hamid Raza, Mufti Wazeer Qadir, Pir of Sharaqpur (Sheikhupura) Mian Jalil Ahmed Sharaqpur, Pir of Bangali Sharif (Gujjar Khan) Pir Makhdoom Abbas Bangali, Pir of Basahan Sharif (Kahuta, AJK) Pir Syed Ali Raza Bukhari, Wafaqul Madaris Al Islamia President Sahibzada Hussain Raza, Pir of Sundar Sharif (Lahore) Pir Habib Irfani, Pir of Sodhra (Wazirabad) Syed Zain Noor Shah, Pir of Siyal Sharif (Sargodha) Pir Qasim Siyalvi and Pir of Sultan Baho (Jhang) Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali. After the meeting, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri told reporters that a 12-member committee of Ulema had been formed to hold talks with the government and the TLP. The minister added that the prime minister was aware of all the agreements reached with the TLP and all those who were saying that the prime minister was unaware were wrong. “How dare could I reach an agreement without informing the prime minister,” Qadri said. He added that the prime minister reiterated that serious talks to sort out the issue were always welcomed. Qadri maintained that Imran knew how to get out of crisis and stressed that the prime minister was optimistic that a way would soon be found. He said that the state was standing with the police martyrs, and it had the clear stance on establishing the writ of the state. Read more NSC firm on establishing state’s writ Leader of the Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Hamid Raza also spoke to the media along with Qadri and said that the prime minister had said that he did not want any bloodshed. Raza added that Imran also told the Ulema that the national security and the writ of the state could not be compromised, adding that the protesters are requested not to resort to violence. Wait for talks outcome As the dialogue between the government and the march leaders continued, the marchers stayed at Wazirabad on the direction of their top leadership. The TLP leadership had told the marchers to wait near Wazirabad till outcome of their talks with a government team. The authorities have put their utmost efforts to construct a “choke point” for the marchers at the Chenab bridge near Wazirabad to stop their movement towards Islamabad. On Friday, the Rangers put up a warning banner to the marchers not to cross the “red line” near the river. The Rangers have been given the lead, along with thousands of policemen on Saturday to stop the march. A 100-feet long, 10-feet deep and 12-feet wide trench was dug in front of the bridge and filled it with water on Saturday to prevent public movement on foot. The main procession was inside the Wazirabad city. But a few groups of the marchers tried to go near the bridge. According to reports, a few skirmishes took place. Reportedly, they were countered by the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) with tear gas shelling and baton charge.

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Lahore world’s most polluted city

With a change in the weather, smog has once again engulfed Lahore. The US Air Quality Index (AQI) is showing the provincial capital’s air as the most polluted in the world with AQI rating of 195. The latest air pollution ranking shows Lahore’s air quality is the worst in the world, followed by Delhi, India and Wuhan, China. Other polluted cities included Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Karachi, Pakistan; Kolkata, India; Beijing, China; Zagreb, Croatia; and Shenyang, China. Data highlights that the highest level of pollution is being observed in the industrial of Kot Lakhpat with a hazardous AQI level of 338 as a large number of industrial units are burning coal to fulfil this energy needs. It also highlights fire burning incidents in Indian Punjab as another reason for high levels of smog in the city. Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Disaster Management Mian Khalid Mahmood underscored that smog is a natural phenomenon created by the combination of smoke and fog in the atmosphere. Smog in Pakistan is usually caused by a mixture of smoke in the fog caused by a change in the humidity ratio in the air at the beginning of winter. The complete elimination of smog as a natural phenomenon cannot be claimed, but the intensity of smog can be reduced by controlling human activities that increase the amount of smoke in the atmosphere. He highlighted that as part of the government’s strategy, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already banned all activities that could increase the intensity of smog due to climate change. Top of the list is smoke from vehicles and industries, solid waste disposal, especially the burning of old crop residues for the cultivation of new crops. In addition to smoke, dust, dirt and other construction materials including sand, gravel, cement, etc. cause air pollution, he said and added that the authority has been continuously monitoring all such activities. For this purpose, a regular cell has been set up in PDMA which is operational 24 hours a day. It is also taking legal action against those elements. About 100% of the kilns in Punjab have been converted to zigzag technology, he disclosed. He also highlighted Pakistan was not informed in advance about the pollution caused by the burning of crop residues in India and there was no such agreement between the two countries. He also directed DG Provincial Disaster Management Authority to set up a task force to look into the complaints of fire incidents in different districts and also perform supervisory duties. Punjab Environment Department has also been activated to rein in causes of smog. The department has imposed a fine of over Rs2.5 million during the inspection of over 1,400 brick kilns across the province. It has also registered over 360 FIRs and sent around a dozen people behind bars for violating environmental laws. Punjab’s capital is struggling with another season of hazardous air quality. Despite measures by the provincial administration, parts of Lahore remain engulfed in a thick blanket of smog. According to IQAir, a portal that provides a real-time pollution map, the average daily air quality in parts of Punjab’s capital hovered between unhealthy and very unhealthy over the past week. The quality of air in the city usually worsens between October to February, which is also known as the smog season. Environmentalists believe the pollution in Lahore can easily be linked to a number of sources. A combination of vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns and dust have resulted in creating what residents of Lahore experience as smog. “Government’s efforts are inadequate,” said Aleem Butt, a Lahore-based environmentalist. According to Butt, more than 60% of the city’s pollution is generated by vehicles. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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GT Road blockade, internet outage irk residents

People of the provincial capital and adjoining districts have been facing inconvenience since a banned group started a march from Lahore on October 22. On October 22 and 23, entry to several parts of the city was blocked, leaving citizens stranded at their homes. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people leave or enter the city daily. In addition, millions of people travel on the GT Road every day. The highway connects the provincial metropolis with the federal capital besides serving as a major trade route housing several industrial hubs and cities along it. Since October 23, the transport on GT Road has come to a halt. Train operations have also been disrupted amid the situation. The authorities have also suspended internet service in Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Gujrat and other adjacent districts. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of educational and economic activities had been shifted online. Therefore, the citizens, particularly students, deprived of the service in the affected areas complained over the move. The internet service providers in the areas say that the service would be restored on government’s instructions. However, there was not clear response from the official quarters about how the situation escalated to this point. When asked, government and police officials blamed each other for the difficulties faced by the people. Reportedly, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday expressed his annoyance over Punjab Police top brass for their failure to prevent the aggravation of the situation. However, on the other hand, police officers were wary of an “unclear” government policy vis-a-vis dealing with the protesters. They said that the government’s policy had oscillated between resorting to the use of force and “peaceful negotiations”. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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Govt-TLP dialogue to yield positive result: Sarwar

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has indicated that dialogue between the government and the banned outfit is expected to yield positive result. Speaking to the media persons after inaugurating art exhibition at Alhamra Art Gallery on Saturday, Sarwar said dialogue was being held between the federal government and the representatives of banned religious outfit. “People from both sides were very responsible and I am hopeful that the dialogue would remain fruitful,” he added. As far as the demands of banned outfit were concerned, he said, all of their demands could not be accepted. Some of the demands could be agreed upon while some could not be accepted. Protection of lives and property of people is the top priority of the government. Police and all other departments concerned are playing their role for this, he disclosed. He said the government does not want confrontation with anyone. Politics of confrontation is not in the national interest. “The government is tackling multiple challenges, including economic and others. All Pakistanis should keep national interest supreme.” Sarwar said no foreign investor shows interest to invest in any country until the law and order situation is satisfactory. “Sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation against terrorism are unprecedented. Maintenance of law and order is imperative for the economic development and stability of the country,” he added. Read Sedition case sought against TLP The governor, during his visit to the art exhibition said Pakistan has got the best talent in the world. He appreciated the calligraphy paintings made by Farzana Waqas. He said it is the responsibility of the government and all concerned to promote such artists who bring honour to the country through their work. In his concluding remarks, he said that art and culture is the identity of any country and it should be promoted. Meanwhile, presiding over a high-level meeting to review the law-and-order situation in the province Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar directed officials concerned to take all possible measures for safeguarding the life and property of the people as it is the topmost responsibility of the state. The chief minister warned that its policy of tolerance should not be considered the weakness. “Our religion gives us a lesson of peace as there is no room of torturous and violent behaviour in it. The government will fulfil its responsibility to maintain the law-and-order situation in the province. He gave necessary instructions to the concerned authorities for keeping the law-and-order situation normal. Provincial Minister Prosecution Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, SACM for Information Hasaan Khawar, Chief Secretary, IG Police, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Principal Secretary to CM and concerned officials were present on this occasion. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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DIG strives to boost Lahore police’s morale

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Sohail Chaudhry has been spotted flaunting Lahore police’s superiority over the force in other districts, including Faisalabad, Khushab and Mianwali, amid questions being raised about the handling of recent protests. The Lahore DIG has over 30,000 police personnel at his disposal. Clad in anti-riot gear and escorted by a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and SPs at Sadhoki, Chaudhry reportedly commented that Lahore police had been summoned amid the ongoing situation because they were “good” and trust worthy. He compared the provincial capital’s police with those of Khushab, Mianwali and Faisalabad, stating that they had not been summoned. Ironically, Chaudhry served as Faisalabad city police chief before being appointed as the Lahore DIG Operations. In addition, the district police officers (DPOs) of Mianwali and Khushab are among the officials whose services were placed at the disposal of the Rawalpindi regional police chief after Lahore police failed to halt the marchers. The orders to the DPOs and two other officials to report to Rawalpindi along with their force were issued by Inspector General Rao Sardar after he reportedly had given a dressing down to the Lahore police top brass. Prime Minister Imran Khan is also reported to have expressed his annoyance over the performance of senior officers of Punjab Police. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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Rawalpindi remains under virtual siege for fourth day

Major parts of Rawalpindi remained almost sealed for the fourth consecutive day as the city administration closed major arteries to stop the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) marchers from entering the garrison city. The closure of businesses for the last 10 days on Murree Road has cost millions of rupees to the traders. The metro bus service and public transport remained shut for the last four days and commuters continued to face extreme hardships. The Faizabad Interchange, where the banned TLP is expected to stage a protest sit-in, remained sealed with containers for the past 10 days which has also barred the entry of goods vehicles in the city. A citizen Muhammad Yamin said that he had to travel from Sadiqabad to Kutcheri for work but the traffic movement had been restricted completely. Yamin said he had never seen such a state of affairs in Rawalpindi before as the administration has vanished after sealing the entire city. A 70-year-old asthma patient, Tariq Javed, said that all roads leading to the Benazir Bhutto Hospital from Murir Chowk were blocked by placing containers. He said that no rickshaw was allowed to go to the hospital while he could not walk on foot due to his health condition. A furniture businessman Muhammad Taj said he had been doing business on Murree Road for four decades. During all these years, he said, he had never seen Rawalpindi in such a state of siege. Read Sedition case sought against TLP Taj said that numerous markets from Murir Chowk to Faizabad were closed for the past four days and the traders were facing a loss of millions of rupees every day. Many motorcyclists were seen lifting their bikes up to the footpaths to find a way to reach their destinations. Roads leading to hospitals have also been blocked leaving the ailing patients in the lurch, who were left with no option but to wait for the situation to normalize. Meanwhile, the National Highway and Motorway Police said that GT Road was blocked at 10 spots from Gujjar Khan to Wazirabad. They asked motorists to use alternate routes. Meanwhile, the closure of businesses has also aggravated the problems of daily wagers and labourers who depend on daily earnings to make a living. The Rawalpindi administration said the Murree Road will remain sealed until the orders of the Punjab government. Police detain 10 more TLP members Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police arrested 10 more members of the banned TLP during a crackdown. So far, the police have booked 127 TLP workers and officials ahead of the banned organisation’s march on Rawalpindi. The Saddar police said that 10 TLP workers were rounded up from Adiala Road and adjoining areas and shifted to an unknown location. Around 117 activists and workers of the banned party were detained in Adiala jail for almost a month. The Rawalpindi police also conducted raids in areas along the Service Road adjoining Islamabad Expressway. The police booked four suspects for having weapons in their possession. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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RMC bank account still dormant despite revival of local bodies

The bank account of the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) could not be made functional even after 10 days of resumption of charge by local government representatives after a hiatus of over two years in the light of the top court order. Meanwhile, the elected representatives have started consultation with the lawyers to get an extension of 28 months after the end of the current year to compensate for the period they remained dysfunctional. The Rawalpindi mayor and chairmen of district councils have decided to file an application in the Supreme Court (SC) in this regard. The PTI-led Punjab government had dissolved the local government system in May 2019 and announced holding the elections under the new system. The elected bodies had earlier become functional on January 1, 2017. Read RMC back in the saddle again Sources said that the account of the municipal corporation will become functional only after the notifications from the Punjab finance department and local government department. In this regard, Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Naseem Khan said he has written a letter on the dormant account’s matter to the Punjab government. He added said the extension of 28 months in tenure was the right of the elected representatives of local bodies during which they were not allowed to work. The mayor said consultation with the lawyers was under way in this regard and the matter will be raised before the top court. In this regard, the mayors of Rawalpindi, Lahore, and other cities as well as chairmen of district councils have started contacts. Sources said that the priority of the local representatives was to complete the unfinished development projects and the approval of new projects. Highlight: Sources said that the RMC account will become functional only after the Punjab government issued a notification Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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